Apparatus for Farming, Gardening and Landscaping

ABSTRACT

The instant invention is an electric machine/tractor particularly intended for farming, gardening and landscaping and is nonpolluting and self charging. The tractor accommodates standard farm implements and can supply electrical power to remote areas. To achieve these goals, the machine is comprised of a frame and wheels which are driven independently by hydraulic motors powered by a variable volume, hydrostatic pump that is driven in line, by an electric motor that also drives a hydraulic lift pump and a power-take-off shaft through belts. The hydrostatic pump is controlled by the operator for forward and reverse motion. The electric motor is powered by batteries and the batteries can be recharged by an on-board photoelectric panel. A combination charger/inverter is located aboard the tractor to charge the batteries from any 110V A.C. power outlet or generate 110V A.C. electrical power from the tractor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the fields of agriculture, gardening, landscaping and renewable energy and more particularly to a non-polluting electric tractor to replace or augment petroleum fueled tractors without sacrificing utility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Farm tractors have been used for over a hundred years and have been a major factor in improving the efficiency of agriculture. Further, farm attachments have evolved around the three-point-hitch to provide a high level of efficiency and flexibility. Recently, concerns about the cost, safety, maintenance and negative environmental impact of fossil fuel burning tractors has kindled an interest in electric tractors.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,907 to Downing, Jr. (1987) is an electric tractor driven by A.C. motors controlled by cycloconverters. The invention mentions a technique for varying the wheel speeds as a function of steering and suggests powering farm implements with additional A.C. motors. The invention also mentions an A.C. outlet for non-motor driven accessories only and does not incorporate the use of hydraulic motors for torque at the wheels.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,472 to Christianson et al. (1987) proposes a nominal D.C. voltage of 128 volts to drive the tractor wheels via a single motor mounted on the frame. A second electric motor is mounted to a front frame member. This electric motor is used to drive a power-take-off shaft and hydraulic articulation steering system. Articulated steering is not ideal for operating rear mounted farm implements because turning applies undue sideways forces on the parts making ground contact.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,347 to Gingerich et al. (1998) discloses a lawn and garden tractor having independent electric motors for each driven wheel. Each of the rear wheels is provided with a respective speed sensor. A control system in the tractor feeds extra power to one of the two motors when a wheel encounters an obstacle. Also mentioned is a method of providing a hydraulic lift for attachments but no power take off (PTO) provision is mentioned; therefore, all attachments must supply their own power. One embodiment of this design incorporates swivel wheels in the front which are not practical for row crop farming. The suggested electronic control system is highly sophisticated with many expensive components that could fail or need modifying to provide for the wide range of conditions in which farm tractors must operate. Further, Gingerich suggests measuring resistance in the field windings of each drive motor to gauge the speed at each wheel, however, he does not take into account the resistance to motion at the wheel that could affect accuracy. The patent mentions nothing about how it would support the use of standard farm implements except for a self propelled weeder.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,555 to Miller (1998) describes an electric vehicle and more specifically a regenerating system for braking but does not include any solutions for slow speed agricultural use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,341 to Gingerich et al. (2000) appears to be a refinement of U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,347 by Gingrich (1998) that still does not propose the use of hydraulics to apply torque to the drive wheels or how to attach standard farm implements.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,032 to Teal et al. (2002) describes a method of balancing and controlling the propulsion and steering of a lawn mower but does not propose how the machine would propel or connect with modern farm implements.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,099 to Heckeroth (2010) discusses a generic approach to putting batteries and an electric motor on rails but has no suggestions on how to make it work or how to integrate it with modern farming technologies. The invention also does not suggest the integration of hydraulic power in the configuration that would enhance its performance.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,445 to Ishii (2010) suggests a method of controlling the steering of a hydraulic driven machine. It does not propose any solutions for making the machine function in farming or gardening applications.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In the examination of prior art several designs are acknowledged which mostly apply to the methods of supplying motion to the vehicle. The instant invention addresses forward and reverse motion as an integral component of the many functions that a modern farm tractor must provide. To that end several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

-   -   (a) to eliminate air, noise and ground pollution from the         farming, gardening and landscaping processes.     -   (b) to provide an improved method of implementing an electric         powered tractor in farming and gardening operations by using a         combination of electric motor torque and hydraulic torque.     -   (c) to organize the power distribution section of an electric         tractor in a module that can be connected, removed, expanded,         contracted or modified for diverse requirements.     -   (d) to provide a universal three-point hitch and two         power-take-off shafts to operate common farm implements both         from the rear of the tractor and from the midsection.     -   (e) to provide one or a bank of photovoltaic panels integrated         in the canopy of the tractor for charging batteries in the         tractor as well as protecting the operator from sun and rain.     -   (f) to provide a mobile A.C. energy source for barns, sheds and         other outlying areas where electric power is unavailable.     -   (g) to supply a tractor that has its own charging system for use         in underdeveloped countries where fossil fuels are difficult or         expensive to attain.

Further objects of the invention are to install components in the tractor that can be upgraded as improvements in technology are available. Still further objects are to provide a tractor that can operate safely within an enclosed greenhouse where combustion fumes would be dangerous and also to substantially eliminate the time, expense, danger and pollution involved with the purchase, transport, storage, consumption and disposal of carbon based fuels, coolants and lubricants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is particularly intended to provide a nonpolluting self charging tractor for performing farming, gardening and landscaping functions incorporating the use of standard farm implements. To achieve these goals the tractor is comprised of: a frame with wheels, a bank of rechargeable batteries, an electric motor, hydrostatic drive pump and hydraulic motors at the wheels. Further, a standard category 1 three-point hitch is included with two power-take-off shafts to supply rotational power as needed at the rear or mid section of the tractor. Still further two hydraulic cylinders are included to provide lift implements at the rear or mid section of the tractor. Still further, integral to the canopy is an array of photoelectric panels to recharge the batteries and an onboard charger for charging from a standard electric service and an inverter to provide A.C. voltage at remote locations as needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1-A is a side view elevation of the machine/tractor detailing its pertinent features.

FIG. 1-B is a rear view elevation of the tractor detailing its pertinent features.

FIG. 2 is an, elevation view of a standard and a modified Lovejoy coupling.

FIG. 3 is a side, top and rear elevation of the three-point hitch assembly.

FIG. 4 is a view of the pertinent features on the front panel facing the operator.

FIG. 5 is a functional diagram of the system for the tractor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 6 is a side and rear elevation of the detachable power distribution module that is used in the tractor shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 for a left side elevation view of one embodiment of the instant invention it may be seen that the apparatus comprises a metal frame 17 that supports front wheels 30L&30R, rear wheels 28L&28R, batteries 11, seat 67, electric motor, motor 12, dual stage hydrostatic drive pump (drive pump) 13, hydraulic motors 34L&34R, category 1 three-point hitch 14, mid section lift hitch 38, roll bar and canopy support assembly 24, canopy angle adjustment bracket 36, canopy frame 19, photovoltaic panel 37, seat 35, mid section lift 22 and rear hitch lift 21. A control lever 20 actuates the pump 13 via linkage 31 that drives the rear wheels. The tractor is steered with the steering wheel 33. A mid section lift cylinder 22 and a rear power-take-off (PTO) are driven by a belt from a modified Lovejoy coupling 29. The same coupling drives the hydraulic lift pump (lift pump) 27 and connects directly to the drive pump 13. A mid section PTO 16 is driven by the rear PTO shaft through a belt or by gears if it is required to run in a reverse direction. An inverter/charger 25 is positioned in front near the batteries and is switched by the control panel switch 23 to charge the batteries or export electrical power. The electric motor and pump are mounted to cross plates 43 & 44 that are mounted to side plates 48 L&48R that in turn are mounted to the frame 17. In the same manner the cross plates 45&46 hold the two PTO shafts and are also mounted to the side plates. The main hydraulic oil reservoir 49 is also bolted to the side plates for stability and also functions as a support for the hydraulic lift cylinder 21. A hitch 26 for pulling implements also connects and supports the side plates. Canopy frame 19 supports solar panels 37 and is supported by roll bar assembly 24 and can be tilted to absorb maximum energy when stationary via hinges 36L&36R. An on board electric inverter/charger 25 is provided to charge the batteries from any A.C. plug when needed and can be switched to provide A.C. power to power tools or any standard A.C. electrical devices as needed.

FIG. 1-B is a rear view elevation of the tractor showing the roll bar and canopy support assembly 24 and the locations of the top cross plate 43, the bottom cross plate 46 as connected to the side plates, 48L and 48R. Also shown is the position of the drive pump 13 directly behind the motor 12. A V-belt 50 is shown connecting the drive coupling 29 with the driven lift pump 27 and is actuated by a lever 40. Also a V belt 51 is shown connecting the drive coupling 29 with the driven PTO shaft 15 actuated by a lever 41. The PTO shaft 15 is shown driving the mid section PTO shaft 16 through a V belt. Also shown are the left rear wheel 28L and right rear wheel 28R as they are connected respectively to hydraulic motors 34L and 34R that are mounted to the side plates 48L and 48R.

FIG. 2 Shows a standard Lovejoy coupling 52 and the modified Lovejoy coupling assembly 29 with a pulley slots 29 a and 29 b machined to drive V-belts.

FIG. 3 Shows three elevation views of the three-point hitch design where the side plates 48L and 48R form the frame for the swivel rods 58 and 59. The side plates also are connected to the oil reservoir 49 that supports the upper end of hydraulic cylinder 21. The cylinder applies torsion to the bar 58 which raises and lowers the leveling bars 53L and 53R which in turn raise and lower hitch attachment bars 57L and 57R. Hand adjustments for each lower hitch attachment bar are shown as 55L and 55R

FIG. 4 is a view of the front panel 23 of the preferred embodiment showing the output plug 58, solar charging meter 60, front light switch 61, rear view work light switch 62, inverter/charger mode switch 63, radio 64, input charging jack 59, battery status indicator 65, motor speed adjust 47 and chassis ground switch 66. Also shown below the panel is the rear/mid hydraulic switch 32.

FIG. 5 is a functional diagram of the main elements of the invention showing The main power switch 39, ground switch 66, the battery bank 11 being charged via the inverter/charger 25 and the solar collector 37. Also shown is the electric motor driving PTO shafts 15 and 16 and the lift pump 27 via the coupler 29. The same coupler connects directly to the drive pump 13 that supplies hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic motors 34L and 34R that drive the wheels 28L and 28R respectively. A motor control unit 14 powers the motor 12, the speed of which is operator controlled through the potentiometer 47. The forward and reverse wheel speeds are directed to the pump 13 by a foot petal 20.

FIG. 6 is an elevation drawing of the left and rear views of the power distribution module as a separate functional entity from the tractor showing the relative positioning of the electric motor 12 and the drive pump 13 as they are connected together by the coupler 29 that also drives the lift pump 27 and the rear PTO shaft 15 which drives the mid PTO shaft 16 via belt or gear set 35. The lift pump and PTO shafts are engaged by levers 40 and 41 respectively. The module's outer frame is comprised of the side plates 48L and 48R and are held rigid by the upper cross frames 43 and 44 as well as the lower cross frames 45 and 46 as well as the hydraulic fluid reservoir 49 and the trailer hitch 26. The hydraulic motors 34L and 34R are firmly bolted to the side plates. The side frames contain holes for mounting but alternatively could be welded into a vehicle or fixed frame as required.

ADVANTAGES

Although the instant tractor with a full charge, at this time, cannot operate as long as a petroleum fueled tractor on a full tank, the net expense for any equivalent amount of tractor work completed will be less for the electric tractor even if recharging is done from a wall plug alone. By modifying the Lovejoy coupling 29 to drive two outputs via belts 50 and 51 while driving the hydrostatic pump 13 directly through the same coupling, an efficient way of distributing maximum power where it is needed from the electric motor has been accomplished; thus, if the tractor is pulling a plow, the bulk of the power is expended through the drive pump to the wheel motors with little drain from the belts. Alternatively, if the tractor is running a tiller or a mower, the belts are conveying the bulk of the power from the motor while the energy to drive the tractor forward via the drive pump is minimal. The mid section lift feature comprised of lift cylinder 22 and hitch 38 is not normally seen on modern tractors and adds substantially to the utility of this embodiment by accommodating the use of seeders, weed sweeps, mowers or other implements that need to be controlled with greater precision than rear mounted implements. By incorporating the standard three-point hitch in this embodiment, the usability is increased well beyond other cited electric farming and gardening vehicles. This advantage is made possible by the strategic frame design wherein the side plates comprise an assembly that contains the motor, drive pump and lift pump mounting plates, the two PTO shaft mounting plates, the three-point hitch assembly, the hydraulic reservoir, the hydraulic motors and the rear wheels. This assembly could be manufactured separately from the rest of the tractor and shipped in much smaller containers than the full sized tractor and installed on a final assembly line or at different destinations as a modular unit. As a further step toward a non-polluting farm tractor and extending its usefulness after dark this design uses high output/efficiency LED light beams that consume ⅛ the electrical power compared to conventional incandescent lighting. This invention is quiet, compact and emits zero odors or emissions of any kind, thus it will find broad usage in sustainable agriculture, urban landscaping and greenhouse gardening. The tractor can also be plugged into roof mounted solar arrays when available to charge the batteries at a faster rate. The inclusion of an on board 2500 watt inverter enables the tractor to power inexpensive 110V A.C. gardening and landscaping tools such as chain saws, tree trimmers hedge trimmers, power circular saws, drills, drill presses, water pumps, air compressors or any other appliance up to 3½ horse power in this embodiment. The mobility of the tractor itself and the advantage of the A.C. inverter will make it very useful not only for farming, gardening and landscaping but for remote construction projects and even supplying power to barns, outbuildings and cabins.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The instant embodiment is based on the use of 8 inexpensive 6V golf cart batteries running in series at 48V D.C. and the 48V solar array described can produce up to 200 watts during daylight hours. The single dual stage hydrostatic pump could be replaced by two single stage pumps running in tandem if larger gallons per minute (GPM) are required. Improved batteries will extend the operating time between charges as advanced battery designs become available. Charging time from the solar array will be reduced as new technologies and mass production methods produce solar panels with greater watts per square meter output. Also, by running the tractor at a higher voltage, power and endurance could be increased by reducing resistance in the wiring and the current draw from the batteries. Although this embodiment uses a modified Lovejoy coupling, other couplings like U-joints or custom built couplings can be made to work as well. The power distribution module can be scaled up or down to drive larger or smaller tractors as required using basically the same juxtaposition of components. The said module can also be adapted to drive backhoes, ditchers and other farming and landscaping equipments.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

-   1) Title -   2) Field of Invention -   3) Background of the Invention -   4) Objects of the Invention -   5) Summary of the Invention -   6) Brief description of drawings -   7) Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiment -   8) claims -   9) Abstract of the Disclosure -   10) List of Reference Numerals -   11) FIG. 1 a -   12) FIG. 1 b -   13) FIG. 2 -   14) FIG. 3 -   15) FIG. 4 -   16) FIG. 5 -   17) FIG. 6

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   11 Battery bank -   12 Electric motor -   13 Hydrostatic drive pump (drive pump) -   14 Motor control unit -   15 Rear power-take-off shaft, -   16 Mid section power-take-off shaft -   17 Main frame -   18 Hydraulic cylinder actuator -   19 Canopy frame -   20 Forward/reverse lever -   21 Rear hydraulic cylinder -   22 Mid hydraulic cylinder -   23 Front panel -   24 Roll bar/canopy support assembly -   24 a Left side riser bar -   24 b Cross bar -   24 c Right side riser bar -   25 Inverter/charger -   26 Rear hitch -   27 Auxiliary hydraulic lift pump (lift pump) -   28 Rear wheels, L&R -   29 Modified Lovejoy coupling assembly -   29 a Motor mounted pulley -   29 b Pump mounted pulley -   30 Front wheels, L&R -   31 Forward/reverse linkage -   32 Hydraulic switch. Rear/mid -   33 Steering wheel -   34 Hydraulic motors, L&R -   35 Mid PTO drive gears or belt -   36 Canopy adjust bracket, L&R -   37 Photovoltaic panel -   38 Mid section hitch -   39 Power switch -   40 Auxiliary hydraulic actuator lever -   41 Power-take-off actuator lever -   42 Power-take-off drive pulley -   43 Rear upper cross bracket -   44 Front upper cross bracket -   45 Front lower cross bracket -   46 Rear lower cross bracket -   47 Motor speed control pot -   48 Side plates, L&R -   49 Hydraulic fluid reservoir -   50 Auxiliary hydraulic drive belt -   51 Power-take-off drive belt -   52 Standard Lovejoy coupling -   53 3 point Hitch leveling bar, L&R -   54 3 point hitch lower hydraulic lever -   55 3 point hitch leveling bar adjustment turnbuckle, L&R -   56 3 point hitch Lower attachment adjustment, L&R -   57 3 point hitch lower attachment bar, L&R -   58 110V AC out -   59 110V AC in -   60 Solar charge indicator -   61 Light switch -   62 Rear view work light switch -   63 Charger/Inverter switch -   64 Radio -   65 Battery charge status indicator -   66 Main ground switch -   67 Seat 

1. An electric farm tractor, designed to use standard three-point or other farm implements, that will reduce air, ground and noise pollution and can provide electrical power to remote areas which has a frame wherein: the vehicle includes an electric motor; the vehicle includes batteries; the vehicle includes a photovoltaic panel or panels integrated in the canopy to provide electricity to recharge the batteries; the vehicle includes a two stage hydrostatic drive pump; the vehicle includes a hydraulic lift pump; the vehicle includes two hydraulic motors; the vehicle includes left and right drive wheels; the vehicle includes a steering wheel that guides the machine; the vehicle includes a category 1 three-point hitch; the vehicle includes a rear power-take-off (PTO) shaft; the vehicle includes a mid frame PTO shaft; the vehicle contains a mid frame hydraulic cylinder and a hitch to mount implements under the middle section of the frame; the vehicle includes an inverter to provide an A.C. (alternating current) electrical power outlet; the vehicle includes a charger to charge the batteries from an A.C. power source.
 2. Vehicle of claim 1 containing an energy distribution module which strategically positions the structural and energy elements to efficiently distribute power between that required for ground motion and that required for lifting and powering attachments.
 3. The structural configuration of claim 2 that couples the electric motor directly to the hydrostatic pump and strategically positions the two PTO shafts and auxiliary hydraulic pump to be driven by the same coupling via rotational energy connecting elements.
 4. The module of claim 2 comprising a frame which contains two side plates that are solidly attached to, and supported by, four cross plates, the hydraulic reservoir, and the rear hitch. Said frame is detachable, self supporting and is connected to the tractor frame by bolts and/or welding.
 5. The coupling method of claim 2 connecting the shafts of the motor (input) and hydrostatic drive pump (output) cushioned by a flexible substrate to minimize the effects of misalignment and vibration and with pulleys machined into each of the input and output halves of the coupling whereas they are independently secured on the opposing rotating shafts and drive their respective loads through belts to provide additional buffering from vibration and misalignment.
 6. The power distribution module of claim 2 scaled up for larger vehicles and scaled down for smaller vehicles or walk-behind machines that can increase the work a person can accomplish in confined spaces or covered areas.
 7. The power distribution module of claim 2 fitted with a backhoe, ditch digger, hole digger or any device that can perform work upon, in or above the ground. 